Only Murders in the Building Can’t Live Forever

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In simpler terms, the reason Loretta, portrayed by Meryl Streep, was absent during the initial part of the new season of “Only Murders in the Building” might be due to her busy schedule. When she returns, the show skillfully combines humor and nostalgia, seamlessly creating enchanting moments even as it slips into familiar territory. Towards the end of a standout episode, Loretta and Martin Short’s character, Oliver, sneak into a small Brooklyn theater for a walk down his memory lane. He reminisces about being a foster child who learned to stay quiet until the theater allowed him to be loud and true to himself. Later, they perform overlooked scenes from an old “SVU” episode and a sausage commercial, respectively. These dialogues are humorous, with Short and Streep delivering them for laughs. However, what truly stands out is their on-screen chemistry, as Short looks at Streep with boyish admiration, and she responds with a loving, understanding gaze. Despite the brief duration of their speeches, the scene is electric and shows that “Only Murders” can break its routine when it chooses to do so. The rumors about their off-screen relationship seem believable due to their captivating chemistry on screen.

In its current phase, the structure of “Only Murders” is established: another season, another crime, another enigma to be unraveled by the Arconia trio who seek purpose in their lives and material for their podcast (still not yet video). Characters Oliver, portrayed by Steve Martin as Charles, and Selena Gomez’s Mabel collaborate on the investigation while dealing with a collection of peculiar characters that surround them. Every year introduces new oddities to replenish the pool of potential suspects and victims. Some jokes work well, others don’t, but the script’s unexpected bouts of melancholy always resonate deeply. Over time, “Only Murders” has experienced highs and lows but now resembles a comforting British mystery where bodies accumulate inexplicably in picturesque locations, allowing the format to potentially continue indefinitely. However, this is not possible due to Martin’s age (80) and Short’s advancing years, reminding us that life sets its own boundaries. This understanding lurks beneath the humor, giving “Only Murders” a subtle, poignant poignancy – perhaps more than any other modern murder-mystery series, it delves into existential contemplation.

In the fifth season, premiering this week, the storyline resumes its familiar pace, starting post-cliffhanger from last season’s finale and the unexpected demise of Lester (Teddy Coluca), a beloved doorman at the Arconia since its first season. Lester’s passing, along with the disappearance of mobster-type Nicky Caccimelio (Bobby Cannavale), kicks off the initial leg of their investigative journeys, as per usual in “Only Murders.” Characters grapple with personal transformations: Charles, mourning Lester’s marriage, succumbs again to solitude and joins a senior dating app called Last Gasp. Oliver ponders his future and grapples with the prospect of selling his apartment. Mabel confronts the return of an old friend played by Beanie Feldstein, with whom she had a falling out and holds onto a one-sided grudge worsened by her friend’s current status as a popular music star, reminiscent of Sabrina Carpenter’s style. Throughout the season, Feldstein is among several new guest stars who act as both fresh suspects and diversions. Keegan-Michael Key portrays New York City’s gladhanding mayor, Téa Leoni reappears as Sofia, wife of the missing mobster, Dianne Wiest plays Lester’s widow, Lorraine, Jermaine Fowler takes on the new doorman role amidst job insecurity due to a robotic rival, and Christoph Waltz, Renée Zellweger, and Logan Lerman portray a trio of billionaires modeled after modern moguls.

In simpler terms, the latest episodes of “Only Murders” have been exploring various thematic settings (like Broadway in season three and Hollywood in season four), giving off a vibe similar to the “Fast & Furious” series’ escalating action. However, unlike previous seasons, season five appears to follow a new theme involving the New York mob and the billionaire class. But just like last year’s brief detour to Los Angeles, this season doesn’t fully immerse itself in these themes but instead keeps its focus on the Arconia building. The reason being, “Only Murders” is all about lingering within this one location, with these specific characters, and maintaining a particular tone. Season five showcases this concept more clearly than ever, positioning the Arconia as the heart of the plot while treating the murder mystery, along with mob and billionaire aspects, as mere background details rather than the main focus.

The essence revolves around the poignant nature of existence, vividly portrayed in ‘Only Murders in the Building.’ Each installment initiates with character monologues, serving as contemplations on life, and this season delves deeply into that profound sadness. Like how season two transformed Bunny Folger from a sarcastic comic relief to a deceased character whose remorse over her choices was emphasized, this season explores Lester, a man who aspired for movie stardom but found himself in the role he played at the Arconia. His tale is both heart-rending and enchanting; ‘Only Murders’ interweaves melancholy with bursts of genuine affection.

Lester discovers his solace in marriage and his affection for the building, while the entire season finds its warmth in Oliver and Loretta’s theater scene, where their infectious playfulness momentarily makes you believe they could be immortal. This shifting between sorrow and joy mirrors the very rhythm of life, as does ‘Only Murders in the Building.’ It seems as if this show could last an eternity, despite the fact that it can’t. For now, let’s simply appreciate the journey.

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2025-09-09 21:01